Frustrated with finding good technical materials?
Here are 10 tips for choosing the perfect textbook for you:
Here are 10 tips for choosing the perfect textbook for you:
Tip #1: Focus on textbooks that are written for self-study
Most textbooks are written with the assumption that you have a teacher around to help you. They're incomplete by design. People who write self-study textbooks don't assume that. That's why they're the way to go.
Most textbooks are written with the assumption that you have a teacher around to help you. They're incomplete by design. People who write self-study textbooks don't assume that. That's why they're the way to go.
Tip #2: Build a list of candidate textbooks from recommendations on discussion sites like Reddit, Quora and Stack Exchange.
There's probably a list already but if not, create an account and ask.
There's probably a list already but if not, create an account and ask.
Tip #3: Other people's textbook recommendations can be helpful, but you have to be careful.
People will often say a textbook is good because it's the one they learned on. If everybody is saying a textbook is great but it doesn't feel right for you, take that feeling seriously.
People will often say a textbook is good because it's the one they learned on. If everybody is saying a textbook is great but it doesn't feel right for you, take that feeling seriously.
Tip #4: Review copies of candidate textbooks to determine how well-written they are.
My favorite places to get copies of books are libraries, and Amazon. I have Amazon prime which means I get free shipping and hassle-free returns.
My favorite places to get copies of books are libraries, and Amazon. I have Amazon prime which means I get free shipping and hassle-free returns.
There are also certain online places where digital copies of books can be found. π«’ Go search for threads on Reddit if you want to learn more about this. π
Tip #5: Skim each candidate book not spending more than 5-10 minutes per book and see how easy it is to get an idea of what they're saying.
Some books are written in such an amazingly clear way that you'll start getting the vibe immediately.
Some books are written in such an amazingly clear way that you'll start getting the vibe immediately.
The structure of the text will be clear. There will be previews of what they are talking about before they say it. Chapters will end with summaries of what was discussed. Diagrams will be plentiful and clear. Even the font of the book will feel carefully chosen.
Few books will have all of these but the really well-written ones will have many of them.
Tip #6: Pick the book that feels easiest to read even if it's not the most extensive.
You'll get through it so fast that it won't matter if it's not the most complete. You can always give the other books a try after you have this first one under your belt.
You'll get through it so fast that it won't matter if it's not the most complete. You can always give the other books a try after you have this first one under your belt.
Tip #7: Do skim the introduction for details on the target audience. Don't take it to be 100% true.
Sometimes authors are wrong about their own book. They might claim it's easy to read for all backgrounds when it's not. Still, the intro is a valuable source of information.
Sometimes authors are wrong about their own book. They might claim it's easy to read for all backgrounds when it's not. Still, the intro is a valuable source of information.
Tip #8: It's OK to pass on an objectively well-written book if it isn't right one for you.
A book might feel hard to read because you're not the target audience. It might be too advanced or pitched to folks with a different background. It's OK to be a bit subjective here.
A book might feel hard to read because you're not the target audience. It might be too advanced or pitched to folks with a different background. It's OK to be a bit subjective here.
Tip #9: Take your time.
Picking the right textbook is a big decision. Mastering technical material is a massive investment in time and energy. Investing a week or two in choosing the best book for you is worth it.
Picking the right textbook is a big decision. Mastering technical material is a massive investment in time and energy. Investing a week or two in choosing the best book for you is worth it.
I'm going to be tweeting more about the process of learning technical subjects like math, coding, statistics and data science going forward.
You can support this kind of content by retweeting this thread and following me so you can get future threads.
You can support this kind of content by retweeting this thread and following me so you can get future threads.
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